Karunanidhi: The Sachin of TN politics
Soon after he takes the stage around 9 pm at the famed intersection of the North and West Masi streets of the southern district of Madurai, the uproar is deafening, aided by extravagant fireworks.
"Please stop the fireworks," Karunanidhi says. But they seem to have a mind of their own. After a few minutes, the fireworks stop and Karunanidhi starts.
After introducing all the alliance candidates, he launches into his speech: "I left Rajapalayam in the evening, swam through a sea of humanity and have reached here. Seeing which I am reminded of what I said yesterday. 'Our good work so far has taken us to the foothills of the peak. Discipline and hard work will take us to the pinnacle. If we allow complacency to creep in, the glory that awaits us will slip out of our hands,'" he says.
Though it is a sedate start by any standards, but at least, he has the crowd's attention, setting the stage for a late flourish.
Having administered a booster dose of confidence to the workers, he now turns his attention to his rivals.
"This election is not about the DMK versus the AIDMK; it is about democracy versus autocracy."
From there on it is a long monologue about how corrupt Jayalalithaa is. All the instances that he quotes are from her previous term.
He quotes a report from The Hindu on the judgment acquitting Jayalalithaa in the TANSI land deal case and exaggerates while translating.
None of the accusations/charges he levels at the AIDMK or Jayalalithaa are about her current term.
Naturally, it does not wash even with the hardcore DMK crowd.
Sensing quickly that he is losing the audience, Karunanidhi talks about the poll promises that he claimed Jayalalithaa has failed to fulfill.
"She said her government will ensure that every classroom in government schools will have a teacher. It still has not happened.
After criticising her record as chief minister, Karunanidhi focuses on the AIDMK's poll promises.
"She has promised that 10 kilograms of rice will be given free of cost. Why didn't she get this brainwave when the famished farmers in Tanjavoor were eating rats?" he asks.
Then, with typical sarcasm dripping, he tells the crowd, "You know why she has promised such impossible schemes?" the crowd responds, "Why?"
"It is because she knows very well that the people of Tamil Nadu can't ask her any questions."
The crowd again, "Why?"
"Because only if she comes back to power can you ask her questions?" he says, sending the crowd into raptures.
Also See: Thalaivar on a sticky wicket